The AX advertising : "Révolutionnaire!"
The Company in 1986
- After six years of financial losses, Citroën moves back into the black. The carmaker achieves a major European breakthrough with a 10.8% increase in registrations outside France, while the overall market grows by 9%. Britain heads the sales league, with a 30.4% increase.
- Citroën introduces the Plan Mercure quality control programme into each of its production facilities in an effort to achieve the triple objective of "zero defects, zero breakdowns and zero stocks". Plan Mercure is based on the principle of total customer satisfaction at all levels, and achieves that target by restructuring the system of production.
- The final assembly plant at Aulnay-sous-Bois, north of Paris, is modernized for the launch of the AX and is transformed into a fully-fledged pilot plant. Computerized production monitoring, automated assembly and flexible organization contribute to a 30% cut in production schedules. At the gearbox production plant at Metz-Borny, in the Moselle region, the launch of the AX is preceded by the introduction of the very latest and most advanced technologies.
- For the launch of the "revolutionary" AX, the advertising agency RSCG recommends a single publicity strategy for all countries - and the car becomes instantly identified in the public mind with China and the Great Wall.
- Annual production : 626 057 vehicles.
The models in 1986
- February sees the launch of five new BX estate cars. The BX 14 estate features the 1,360 cm3 engine of the BX 14 saloon (72 bhp at 5,750 rpm, torque of 11 mkg at 3,000 rpm, 5-speed gearbox). Four other new estate versions offer different levels of trim: the BX 19 D, the BX 14 E Entreprise, the BX 16 S Entreprise and the BX 19 D Entreprise.
BX restyling (BX 19 GTI on the picture)
- The Visa 10 E - based on the 11 E - is launched in March bringing the total number of models in the Visa range to thirteen.
- In July, the passenger compartments and the bodyshell of the entire BX range are modified, and 5 new versions are put onto the market. .
AX : 1986-1998
production : 2.424.808
The BX 19 GTI features a new 4-cylinder 1,905 cm3 injection engine (125 bhp at 5,500 rpm, torque of 17.8 mkg at 4,500 rpm). Performance: 0 to 400 m: 16.4 secs; 0-1000 m: 30.5 secs; 0-100 km/h: 8.9 secs; top speed: 198 km/h. The BX D is based on the BX 19 RD, equipped with the new 1,769 cm3 XUD7 engine. The BX 19 TRS replaces the BX 19 GT, while other models include the BX 16 TS and the BX 19 RD. The BX range offers 22 different versions.
- The AX is launched at the Paris Motor Show. The version on display - a three-door front-wheel drive model with a drag coefficient of 0.31 - is equipped with an all-new power unit and gearbox assembly.
In the news in 1986
- In France, President François Mitterrand appoints Jacques Chirac to lead a power-sharing government.
- Barcelona is selected to host the 1992 Olympic Games, while Albertville (France) is chosen for the Winter Olympics.
- A radioactive cloud escapes from the Chernobyl nuclear powerplant in the Soviet Union.
- The Phantom of the Opera opens in London's West End. At the Cannes film festival, British director Roland Joffé wins the Palme d'Or with The Mission.